Meet the man responsible for achieving Nissan’s new car smell 

Updated Sep 16, 2021 | Same topic: Automotive FYIs

Peter Karl Eastland’s job is nothing to sneeze at. 

One of the things that car buyers look forward to with having a new or upgraded ride in the garage is that new car smell. Sure, it’s just a mixture of the odors emanating from the range of materials used in the cabin’s interior. But it’s a gratifying scent nevertheless, akin to an olfactory pat on the back for a job well done. 

 
Peter Karl Eastland is the Nose of Nissan 

Automakers are not oblivious to how the new car smell means a lot to customers, and Japanese marque Nissan shows particular dedication to this aspect of car ownership. On its YouTube channel, Nissan Europe walks viewers through the process of developing the ideal scent that befits new units rolling off showrooms, through the eyes (and nose) of Odour Evaluation Lead Engineer Peter Karl Eastland. 

“Funnily enough, people are not always aware that such a role exists. And when I explain what I actually do, people can be a bit confused,” he says. The idea of assigning a particular specialist to oversee something car owners tend to take for granted may sound a bit amusing, but you have to appreciate such attention to detail. 

Peter Karl Eastland

Eastland says his job may sound amusing, but is no less important in vehicle development

Eastland explains that striking a balance of scents that will appeal to owners is no small feat, and that the nose must be especially calibrated through training to spot different aromas. “I work with a lot of different materials, for example polymers, rubbers, and adhesives. Having a trained nose means that I can tell the difference between fake and real leather, or cloth and fabric.”

The challenge of course is that not all customers who patronize a particular car brand like Nissan are the same, and Eastman says his department has the job of ensuring that every material they source is perfect in terms of odor. His team is at the very start of a model’s development cycle, which could take up to four years. New releases come with substantial improvements where comfort and refinement are concerned, and according to Eastman, this makes the owner’s senses more heightened. 

Peter Karl Eastland

The work his team does results in drivers connecting with their car on an emotional level

“This is all about that emotional connection between the driver and their brand-new car, and the new car smell is an important part of that,” he notes. “It is our job to make sure that all of the senses are harmonized together.” When it comes to starting a beautiful relationship between car and driver, it looks like Nissan has it right on the nose. 

We sniff out more interesting automotive stories for you at Philkotse.com.  

Know more about Nissan

Nissan

Nissan Philippines has a total of eight models in the market, excluding one upcoming vehicle which is the Nissan Magnite. The price list of Nissan vehicles in 2023 ranges from Php 779,000 to Php 4,698,000 for the cheapest Nissan Almera and most expensive Nissan Patrol, respectively. Meanwhile, the Nissan GT-R's price in the Philippines is available upon request so visit Nissan dealerships for inquiries. Nissan's best-selling models in the Philippine market are as follows: Nissan Navara, Nissan Urvan, and Nissan Terra.

At Philkotse.com, we provide you with the most up-to-date Nissan Philippines price list, along with promotions from all dealers, the best monthly installment programs, prepaid, and cash discounts in the Philippines market.

Joseph Paolo Estabillo

Joseph Paolo Estabillo

Author

Joseph holds a degree in Journalism from the University of the Philippines Diliman and has been writing professionally since 1999. He has written episodes for CNN Philippines' motoring show Drive, and has worked on corporate projects for MG Philippines and Pilipinas Shell. Aside from being Philkotse.com’s Content Lead, he also writes content for numerous car dealerships in the U.S., spanning multiple brands such as Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Maserati, among others.

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